Gallitzin, PA is located just west of the Horseshoe Curve. There is a railfanning spot located in downtown with a park overlooking the west portals of the Gallitzin & Allegheny Tunnels. Gallitzin Tunnel is also known as the “Summit” Tunnel it is 3,612 feet long, it was built in 1904 and closed in 1995. Allegheny Tunnel is the same length and was built in 1854. The double track Allegheny Tunnel was made larger to service double stack freight cars in the 1990’s once this was done the Gallitzin Tunnel was abandoned. There is a third tunnel located about a half mile from from the park. The New Portage Tunnel was built in 1855 and it is a single track 1,620 feet tunnel. There really isn’t a good railfanning spot for the Portage tunnel.
Gallitzin and Allegheny tunnels east portals can be viewed by going down Birds Eye Road in Tunnelhill. This is a dirt road I would strongly recommend high profile vehicle such as a pickup truck with 4 wheel drive since some parts of this right of way is quite rough and a car could bottom out. Once trackside I would recommend parking and hiking the rest of the way on the public access road. Please use caution and common sense since you will be almost trackside on this public access way. This public access road give people the ability to visit the Bennington Cemetery.
